i will be travelling to Zurich in November for 2 nights only. ive done a lot of reading online about how to travel around Zurich but I cant quite get my head around it. I will be travelling from the aiport to my hotel via rail which only takes 15 minutes or so (Zurich airport to Oerlikon Train Station).

we then want to then travel to uetliberg from the main station and back.. (get the train up to the mountain and the cable car back down).. we will only be travelling around in public transport on one day and wouldn't really be going any far so what pass would I need to get??

You can use the Swiss railways timetable here to plan your trips around Zurich and the country.

There are a couple options for passes. If you plan on visiting a few museums etc as well as transport you may be interested in the ZurichCard.

Otherwise, a simply day pass for Zurich can work well for you.

Our page on getting around Zurich will have any links you need. Be sure to click on the ZVV link on that page to bring you to the official Zurich transit page (ZVV) with zone map and fares for the city of Zurich.

If you are just in downtown Zurich/Oerlikon you need the 1-2 zone pass (the downtown core counts as 2 zones). If you are going to the airport or Uetliberg you will need a 3 zone day pass.

These can all be bought at the ticket machines at the airport (just before you go down to the train stop under the airport) or at any bus/rail stop in Zurich.

Would you happen to know what the weather would be like in mid November? Will uetliberg be quite clear and how cold would it be by Mt Rigi? I am planning an excursion with a company to visit mt rigi but wanted to know how to dress?

>> Would you happen to know what the weather would be like in mid November?

It will be very chilly, even in Zürich. Cap, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket will be needed to keep you comfortable outdoors.

>> Will uetliberg be quite clear and how cold would it be by Mt Rigi?

Mt Rigi will be very cold, but won't necessarily have any snow. Both places could be either clear or cloudy. You won't know until 24-48 hours in advance.

>> I am planning an excursion with a company to visit mt rigi

It is a very easy excursion to do on your own if you change your mind about doing the guided tour: very easy to get to, and you can suit yourself how long you stay there and what else you do during the day. You also have the flexibility to go somewhere else instead if the Rigi is in the clouds that day.

>> Would you suggest Mt. Tilitis will offer better views than Mt Rigi in November?

Both mountains have wonderful (but different) views, and you wouldn't be disappointed with either in clear weather. Titlis is at a higher altitude (3,020 metres) than Rigi (1,798 metres). You will see snow and ice at Titlis, but not necessarily at Rigi. Titlis has a more rugged, rocky, dramatic look; Rigi, being at a lower altitude, has grassy meadows and some trees on the top.

It will be very cold at both, but there is no way of knowing what the weather will otherwise be like, or whether the mountain tops will be in the clouds, until 24-48 hours beforehand.

The exact date in November that you intend to do your mountain excursion will also affect what choices you can make:

Rigi

6 - 17 November: The cable car between Weggis and Rigi Kaltbad will not be operating.

You can still get to the Rigi during this time by train from Vitznau or Arth-Goldau, including doing a round trip up one way and down the other.

Titlis

6 - 17 November: You can't get to the top of Titlis, as the cableway to the top will be closed for maintenance.

Pilatus

23 October - 10 November: The cable way between Kriens and Pilatus will be closed for maintenance, but you can still go up and back via the cogwheel train.

11 - 19 November: Both the cogwheel train and cable way will be operating, so you can do a round trip up one way and down the other.

20 November onwards: The cogwheel railway will be closed for the winter, but you can still get up and back via the cable way from Kriens.

When reading about how to get to each mountain in the links Lucas gave you earlier, keep the above dates in mind so you are aware of what choices you have for the particular day of your visit.